Novel Containers

ABSTRACT

Improved carrying containers are provided which overcome shortcomings of traditional tote type containers as well as traditional carry bag, backpack, sack bag, and messenger bag containers. Containers having a main seam defining upper and lower portions of the sides forming the containers. The upper portion is foldable about the main seam such that it can superpose over the lower portion. Handles for a user are provided generally interior to the container, which handles are exposed for use when such folding occurs. The upper portion may be unfolded and cinched closed with a captive cord or via employment of one or more straps. The unfolded container may be employed as a carry bag, backpack, sack bag, or messenger bag configuration with improved comfort, convenience and security.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to novel and improved carrying containers generally of a type used, e.g. for shopping and for carrying goods or other possessions. Exemplary members of this class of container are bags and totes as well as certain types of shoulder- or back-carried packs or bags. Several different names may be applied to this class of container. The present disclosure refers to these as carrying containers, “totes” or “bags” without the intention that such nomenclature should be seen to be limiting of the invention. While a large variety of materials may be used for constructing such containers, such are advantageously comprised of fabric or fabric-like materials. Woven and non-woven natural fabrics are both conventional and cost effective as are materials formed from plastics, especially recycled plastic. Many other materials, both natural and man-made may be also employed.

Prior totes or bags are both popular and ubiquitous. Each of the previously known types of tote or bag, however, exhibits shortcomings and limited function.

One example of prior articles is the tote bag. Such is conventionally of fabric, often canvas, and provides a rectangular body having a bottom and an open end opposite the bottom. One or more handles, conventionally a pair of handles, are disposed near the open end in a way such that the tote bag may be carried thereby. Tote bags are limited in scope in that they must be carried by the handles, encumbering the user's hand. Further, they provide little protection to articles contained within. Such articles are amenable to theft and exposure to the elements. Carrying articles, especially those having significant weight, is awkward, especially over long distances and places stress upon the hands and wrists. Thus, while useful, conventional totes present significant shortcomings.

Another prior article type is the carry bag. Such bags are also generally of fabric and may have rectangular or other cross-sectional shape, such as a circle or triangle. Again, a side wall or walls encloses a storage space in cooperation with a bottom. The whole is generally sewn together. Cinched bags that incorporate a drawstring are a variation on the carry bag, and include the popular sack bag. The cinched bag typically has a cinching arrangement near the open end to allow the fabric forming such end to be gathered together—cinched—into a more-or-less closed arrangement. This is conveniently achieved by providing a cord run within or upon the fabric comprising the bag. The cord run encloses a draw cord, substantially around the entirety of the open end of the bag. The draw cord exits the cord run through one or more draw cord openings. These may preferably communicate with a cord run, sleeve or space upon or within the article near its open end. The draw cord may be cinched by pulling the draw cord out of the draw cord openings, thus reducing the effective area of the open end of the bag. When the open end is thus reduced by pulling the draw cord, it forms a cinched configuration. The draw cord may, but need not, be held in place, thus maintaining the cinched arrangement by tying a knot, such as a half knot, in the draw cord. The cord may alternatively be held in place with a spring or friction loaded cord holder or other device as is conventionally known in the art.

It has also been known in the art to provide tote bags or carry bags with certain other functionality. For example, lines, cords, tapes or other cordage has been added to such bags to facilitate carriage over one or more shoulders of a user in the nature of a backpack or messenger bag. While bags of these kinds have found wide utility and popularity, improved functionality and convenience is still very much desired. For example, “backpack” arrangements, while common and useful are generally inconvenient for many tasks, such as shopping. Further, backpacks or messenger bags cannot practically be used in retail environments while choosing articles for purchase as the nature of a backpack makes them useful only after purchases have been made. Improvements to both tote—type containers and to carry bag—type (e.g. backpack/sack bag/messenger bag)—type containers are principal objects of the some aspects of the present invention.

SUMMARY

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to novel containers, such as totes and/or having improved functionality and convenience while maintaining cost effectiveness, aesthetic appeal, comfort in use and durability. Further, the containers of the present invention may employ recycled materials and may, in turn, be recycled. The foregoing and other objects can be attained in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention by providing novel carrying containers having significant improvements over tote bags and carry bags, including backpacks/sack bags/messenger bags. The particular embodiments of the present invention allow users of such articles to enjoy the functionality of tote bags and carry bags, as well as optionally benefitting from the ability to carry the bags and their contents on one or both shoulders without exposing the contents of the bag either to the elements or to theft. Further, the embodiments employing over—the—shoulder or shoulders carrying capability are able to be used in a shopping environment, not just after sales have been consummated. The present articles can feature simple and comfortable hand carrying. When a bag of the invention is filled, a portion of the bag extends to form a cinchable arrangement to close and secure such contents. At least when cinched, the bags of the invention preferably may be either carried in the nature of a cinched carry bag or by suspension over one or both shoulders of a user. No existing carrying container is known which provides the present, desirable functionalities or arrangements of structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Aspects of the present invention are better understood from consideration of the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag in accordance with aspects of the invention showing overall form together with one exemplary placement of handles and a draw cord.

FIG. 2 shows the bag of FIG. 1 wherein an upper portion of the bag is folded over upon a lower portion to expose the handles for tote use.

FIG. 3 depicts in perspective the bag of FIG. 1 wherein the upper portion of the bag has been cinched together by pulling the draw cord.

FIG. 4 shows a bag in accordance with aspects of the invention including optional, but preferably straps for carrying over a shoulder or otherwise.

FIG. 5 is a reversed view of the bag of FIG. 4 showing one arrangement for affixing a cord or strap onto the bag wherein a single cord or strap functions both to suspend the carrying container, e.g. from a shoulder, and to cinch the open end of the bag closed.

FIG. 6 shows a bag of the invention with upper portion of the bag folded over the lower portion and handles available for use. An optional strap holder is depicted for restraining the straps while the bag is in this configuration.

DESCRIPTION

An exemplary carrying container in accordance with aspects of this invention is presented in FIG. 1. While a number of geometric cross sections can be employed in benefitting from the invention, a rectangular cross section is convenient, economical and effective. Thus, a carrying container or bag 10 is shown having a closed bottom 20, four sides 18 and an open top 17 defined by an upper margin 19 of the sides. The bag has a circumferential main seam 16 which may, optionally, but preferably, include welting or stiffening. When used, such welting or stiffening serves to keep the bag open until purposely cinched or closed. Further, the main seam provides a location for attachment of handles 26 which may be either applied onto the fabric on generally opposing sides or to or within the main seam itself. The handles are disposed so as to be held above the plane of the main seam. The handles will, thus, be seen to be affixed to the bags of the embodiment of FIG. 1 at or adjacent to the main seam. This is a practical advantage and persons of skill in the art will appreciate that such attachment is one which places the handles above the plane of the main seam when the handles are being held. It is preferred that the handles be flexible such that they may lie downwardly against the sides to which they are fastened when not in use, and then raised up to be held by the hand of the user when in use.

The carrying container in some embodiments is preferably provided with a draw cord 30 or other element for cinching or closing the upper margin 19 substantially closed. Thus, draw cord 30 runs within cord run 32 via draw cord openings 31. In use, the draw cord may be retained in the cinched position if desired by tying a knot in the draw cord, by applying a holding device or by relying upon friction of the draw cord in the cord run. As will be set forth below, the cinching function may be attained through use of strap or straps for carrying the container, such as on one or both shoulders of a user.

The main seam 16 is shown running along all of the sides of the container and this is both preferred and convenient. It may run only along sides having handles, however, should that be desired. The main seam may be seen to divide the length of the sides into upper and lower portions 12 and 14. As will be more fully set forth below, the relationships of the upper and lower portions of the sides can be important. The main seam need neither be continuous nor uniform; it may be elaborated in a large number of ways and may assume diverse forms. Thus, a main seam may be sewn into fabric or non-woven textiles, such as recycled plastic materials. It may also be formed through ultrasonic or other welding and may be include adhesive or other materials. Welting or reinforcement of the main seam may also be attained, such as by including cordage within a sewn seam or by applying cordage, tape or other material with adhesive. Any arrangement which attains some of the preferred functionalities of the main seam may suffice. Thus, it is desired to provide a location which facilitates folding of the upper portion of the upper portion of the sides over the lower portion of the sides in the vicinity of the main seam. Further, a main seam element may, if desired, afford a stiffening force or reinforcement to the carrying containers of embodiments of the invention and may aide in keeping the articles with a generally open top when the upper portion is folded over the lower.

The carrying containers of the invention may be formed from a number of different materials. Any fabric, plastic, or other material which is generally flexible, but reasonably durable may be employed. Woven or nonwoven fabrics are preferred for some uses, especially those formed from recycled materials. Textiles, either natural or synthetic, generally may find use in aspects of the invention so long as they are reasonably priced, able to form the required structures, able to have needed structures formed on or in them and able to withstand the intended use for a reasonable lifetime. Exemplary textiles include cotton, hemp, jute, polypropylene, nylon, polyester, and recycled PET. While textiles are preferred, the present articles may be formed of other materials such as paper or performance fabrics. In some embodiments, it is preferred to employ materials for the present articles which may either have or display decoration, text or other visual embellishments, e.g. advertising.

In one preferred use, the upper portion of the sides 12 may be folded outwardly and downwardly as regards the lower portion 14 generally at the main seam 16. When in this configuration, the handles 26 are easily exposed and grasped such that the carrying container is useful in the same or similar way that a tote is used. For example, articles may be placed in the container and the whole carried by the handles.

When desired, the carrying container or bag 10 may be closed by unfolding the upper portion of the sides 12 from its position over a part of the lower portion 14. The draw cord or other closure may then be tightened to effect a cinching at the upper margin 19, thus closing the bag. In this form, it may be carried either in the nature of a carry bag or, if appropriate strapping is employed, in the nature of a backpack, sack bag, or messenger bag, over one or both shoulders of the user. The draw cord, if used and the strapping, in embodiments employing strapping may be formed of a wide variety of convenient materials. These may be natural or synthetic and are well known per se. Draw cords formed from cordage known as paracord as well as cotton, nylon, or other convenient cordage having either circular or non-circular cross section may be employed for the draw cord and strapping, if used. Any material known for use in forming straps for backpacks and messenger bags may be used here, as may padding and decoration if desired.

FIG. 2 shows the carrying container of FIG. 1 wherein the upper portion of the sides 12 is folded over a part of the lower portion of the sides 14 adjacent to the main seam. The handles are deployed and ready to be grasped by the user so that the container is functional as a tote bag. A draw cord 30 in a cord run 32 is shown, the cord run being in phantom as the same, in this embodiment, is sewn into the material of the carry container forming a pocket adjacent the upper margin 19 now folded down.

It will be appreciated that the main seam 16 of or at the sides divides the sides between the closed bottom 20 of the articles envisioned in this embodiment of the invention and the open top thereof 17 at the upper margin 19. The upper portion of the sides 12 and the lower portion of the sides 14, taken together form substantially the entire length of the sides from bottom to top. So that there is no confusion, it is hereby defined that the upper and lower portions of the sides is measured to the mid-point of the main seam. In accordance with preferred embodiments of this invention, the length of the upper portion of the sides forms less than or about 45% of the total length of the sides from bottom to top. It is preferred that the upper portion of the sides be from about 25% to 45% of such total length, with about 30% to 40% being more preferred for some articles. A roughly two-thirds to one-third ratio of lower portion to upper portion is also convenient. The foregoing relationships are important to allow the articles of the invention to serve their intended functions. Thus, such relative lengths facilitate both the folded, tote aspects of the articles, such as the placement of the handles 26 in the proper location when folded, while allowing the open top 17 to be cinched or closed when items are in the articles, thus forming the carry bag, backpack or messenger bag aspects of the same articles. The handles are resolved to the inside of the articles where they are out of the way and cannot catch upon other objects, thus rendering the articles of the invention both maximally useful and attractive.

FIG. 3 depicts certain articles of the invention with the open top 17 cinched by a draw cord 30 running through a cord run 32. The upper portion of the sides 12 is seen to be gathered together by the cinching. While not shown, this arrangement would obtain when items to be carried are placed in the carrying container upon the closed bottom 20 and the upper portion of the sides 12 is unfolded from a tote position over part of the lower portion of the sides 14 and cinched to the arrangement shown.

FIG. 4 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention having a strap or straps 40 cooperating with a side or sides of the container such that the carrying container may be carried over one or both shoulders of a user. The article is useful as having a backpack type configuration where each of the separately fastened straps 40 cooperate with the balance of the container through strap access portals 44. These may be prevented from coming out of the portals 44 through a knot or other strap retainer.

In FIG. 5 another preferred container is shown having a single strap 40. The strap is affixed to the article, preferably at or near the bottom 20 on sides remote from each other through strap accesses 42. Again, the strap ends may be knotted or otherwise occluded from coming out of the strap access portals. In this variation, the single strap accesses a cord or strap run 32 near the open top 17. In use, tensioning of the strap both cinches the open top 17 and frees loops of strap for placement over one or both shoulders of a user in the style of a sack bag.

FIG. 6 shows an article in accordance with certain preferred aspects of the invention wherein the upper portion 12 of the sides is folded over the lower portion 14 proximate the main seam 16. The handles 26 are deployed, ready for the article to be used as a tote. Here, a pair of straps 40 in cooperation with strap accesses 42 is present. An optional but desirable strap holder 46, which may be either elastic, Velcro or other arrangement to hold loose portions of a strap or straps while the article is in a tote configuration is provided.

It is to be understood that considerable variability in the configuration of articles in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention may be used without deviating from the spirit of the invention, which is particularly defined by the following claims. The above description explains structural and functional aspects of the present disclosure, as well as improvements, which are referred to above as relating to the present invention. The comments in the specification are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. 

1. A carrying container comprising a bag having a substantially closed bottom and an open top defined by an upper margin to at least four enclosing sides; the at least four sides extending from the closed bottom to the upper margin defining the open top; a main seam substantially parallel to the closed bottom and the upper margin, when all the at least four sides are straight; the main seam defining upper and lower portions of the at least four sides of the container, each of said portions having a dimension which, taken together, totals a distance from said bottom to the upper margin; the upper portion of the at least four sides being adapted for folding outwardly and downwardly as regards to the lower portion of the at least four sides; the container further comprising at least two handles affixed to an inside of non-adjoining sides of the at least four sides at or adjacent to the main seam, the dimension of the upper portions of the at least four sides comprising less than or about 45% of the distance from said bottom to the upper margin.
 2. The carrying container of claim 1 further comprising draw cord generally disposed within a cord run proximate the upper margin.
 3. The carrying container of claim 1 further comprising at least one strap cooperating with at least one of the at least four sides for carrying the container on the shoulder or back of a user.
 4. The carrying container of claim 3 wherein the at least one strap is affixed to the container through at least one strap access.
 5. The carrying container of claim 4 wherein the at least one strap is knotted at one or more ends to retain the one or more ends within the at least one strap access.
 6. The carrying contain of claim 4 wherein the at least one strap is clamped, sewn or fitted with an occlusive fixture to effect retention of the at least one strap in the at least one strap access.
 7. The carrying container of claim 1 wherein the dimension of the upper portion of the at least four sides is from about 45% to about 25% of the distance from said bottom to the upper margin.
 8. The carrying container of claim 1 wherein the dimension of the upper portion of the at least four sides is from about 40% to about 30% of the distance from said bottom to the upper margin.
 9. The carrying container of claim 1 wherein the main seam is welted or reinforced.
 10. The carrying container of claim 1 wherein the main seam is formed by sewing.
 11. The carrying container of claim 1 wherein the main seam is formed ultrasonically.
 12. The carrying container of claim 4 wherein a continuous strap runs from a location near the closed bottom of the container through a strap run proximate the upper margin of the at least four sides to a second location near the closed bottom of the container such that tensioning the strap cinches the open top of the container while providing for suspension of the container over one or both shoulders of a user.
 13. The carrying container of claim 1 wherein the at least two handles are adapted for being exposed when the upper portion of the sides of the container are folded as regards to the lower portion.
 14. The carrying container of claim 13 wherein the at least two handles are adapted for being resolved to the inside of the container when all of the four sides are straight, thereby locating the handles out of the way of external objects.
 15. The carrying container of claim 14 wherein the at least four sides are configured such that the folding of the upper portion as regards to the lower portion occurs generally at the main seam. 